A fairly ordinary girl with an extraordinary love of life and words. I really can’t shut my brain off to what is wonderful and wonderous all around me. Friendly (most of the time), except at four in the morning when I wake up (and even then I’m generally affable), intensely curious, and trying to find a home for my YA novel. Any questions or just want to say ‘hi’ go ahead and drop me a note at heatherzundel [at] gmail [dot] com. I’d love hearing from you.

Followers

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Turn of a Friendly Card, Part 2 by Alan Parsons Project

Now here it is, front and center: my first contest ever. And it’s big. And I mean BIG. And it is so easy. I tried to think of every possible way you could win. The prize? Simply any book you want in the entire world. No joke. One book, under $50, no questions asked. It doesn’t even have to be in print. Yes, I have my diabolical ways. It’s all a part of being Writer-Girl (though if it is out of print, an ISBN number helps immensely). If I were to win – definitely Diana Wynn Jones’ Howl’s Moving Castle, first edition, hardcover (I’m a sucker for hardcovers). Or The Arrival by Shaun Tan. But I can’t win, lucky you. So, comment away, there are about a million ways you can get “points” – entries with your name on it. It’s all in your court. Let’s get this party started! Contest closes Saturday May 2nd, on the digital turn of midnight.

3 points: become a follower (and you can see yourself over on that side bar. So cute)1 point: Commenting, even saying “yo.” (note: “yo” comment only works once. Of course, this would be a perfect time to tell which book you want me to send you)1 point: Commenting with email address and/blog address: (2 potential points).1 point: Giving favorite blogs/websites. You have to say why.3 points: Mentioning this on your blog: (an extra point if you tell everyone to add it too. 4 potential points).2 points: Comment and say what superhero you are (because you are whether you see it or not).Uh… (trying to think of more ways you can rack up points)…1 point: Adding me in Google Reader or similar RSS feeder2 points: Telling me what else I can give you points for.10 points for whoever can get me mentioned on Nathan Bransford’s blog ;) (If you can do that, I’ll buy you a book outright). ^_^

To those twelve subscribers who followed my previous version of this blog: 2 extra points to you. Thanks for sticking around from the beginning. I know who most of you are, but you have to comment to get the point! And those lurkers I don’t know had better come forward. I’m looking at you, wherever you are.

Umm, you have my email address, and if you don't it is posted on my blog. My blog, of course is http://everead.blogspot.com

Speaking of... I'd love to have you write up a guest review sometime! So anytime you've read a good book that is so good you just want to spread the love, let me know! (this goes for other people reading this post. nothing like a good guest review about a good book!)

You could give me points for adding you to my blogroll on Everead... (That is what I'm going to do instead of adding you to my feed or following. I am switching to blog rolls for my own sanity and the health and well-being of my family.)

I don't know which book I would want you to send me yet. There are SO many good ones that I want. But one favorite of mine that is out of print (oh! I just love it!) is Pickle Things by Marc Tolon Brown.

This is fantastic! And Alysa, dang girl, you're pulling out all the stops, aren't you? Let's see. . . you've got. . . 11 points so far. I gave you 2 points for email idea (not a bad one!) and an extra bonus point for sincerely talking to me in the comments. You are so sweet. And yes! I would love to do a guest post sometime. Just tell me when. You are still missing the biggest point-getters though. You get 3 points each for mentioning this on your blog AND for being a follower. Dang, I'm impressed.

And thank you Vivien and PJ! I did try to find a template that really looked good. And you both were old subscibers. So you've got your two extra points (and I love your enthusiasm PJ!)

(Oh, and Alysa, I don't know if I'll use the old one again. I haven't gotten that far in my planning. But I'm certainly not deleting it, that's for sure!) And thank you about my name. You're gonna make me blush.

Kelsey - I'm surprised so many (even if it is just two) have expressed sadness at my old blog's passing. Maybe I can extend it's life somehow. . . no promises yet. I loved that title too.

Hello Katie! You are a new face, right? I just checked out your blog and it's AWESOME. I'm going to be putting it into my reader as soon as I can. It looks like I have a lot of reading to catch up on. And I'll think about a point for the compliment ;)

Beth! Good to see you made it over. That makes me really happy. Don't forget to spread the word!

You can find me at http://purpleclover-purpleclover.blogspot.com and my email is purpleclover.purpleclover@gmail.com.

I love agentquery.com because it lists all the agencies that work in your genre with just a simple click of the button...even has links to their website! I also love querytracker.net because you can keep track of your lovely queries and responses! They also have a blog that you can get to from that website and they do fun contests as well.

I'm a superhero because I'm the best butt wiper in the whole nursing school I attend. And if The Wiper wasn't here who else would get the job done?? (Certainly not most of my classmates). I'm also a mom of two kids, working a part time job, writing a novel, and going to school full time. Superhero? (any other day I would tell you how i fail miserably but for the points...for the points). I really need to get war and peace and don't want to spend the dough...lol.

You could give me points for mentioning you on Nathan's blog. I'd be happy to post it in the comments. :) lol.

Aerin, sorry to add to your reader. I know it's hard, but so well worth it. And hey, who wouldn't like seeing their picture on other people's blogs? :)

MJ, you've come to the right place for a good kiddy-lit contest! And kindergarten! I would love to see what books you read to your kids. We may have to swap picture book favorites. (And you totally get an extra point for teaching 32 years. That is awesome!)

PurpleClover, I LOVE your superhero identity!!! I wasn't expecting to laugh and I almost choked on my pop tart. And you will totally get a point for mentioning me in the comments of Nathan's blog. And I'm heading to your blog right now. (And good job with the 'yo' I had no idea that would take off so well. Or my template. I'm tickled pink so many people like it) ^_^

I'm a follower, also on Google subscriber! My yo comment would be: Welcome to the YA blogosphere. Well, technically I've only discovered your site now. :D And the book: Jessica's Guide To Dating The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey.

3 points: I became a follower to your GREAT blog! I love the layout!1 point: Hmm, this is my comment saying "yo" so I will say, "YO!" I would have said which book I want, however, it might take me a while to decide :)1 point: countrystars95@yahoo.com1 point: www.booksforteensreviews.blogspot.com1 point: Storysiren.com. I love Kristi's blog because it is so well organized, she has a great way to write reviews, and she does this in a friendly way! Plus, I also love Vania's blog, http://reveriemedia.blogspot.com/ because of its awesome layout, the way Vania posts her posts, and how she puts up a handmade cover by her every Saturday that looks like it was made professionally! Plus, Vania's super nice! 2: Hmm, you could give extra points for saying what book is your favorite, ONE of mine is "The Season" by Sarah MacLean.

A favorite blog or website? Well, I love panic at the disco dot com or whatever it is, b/c the band is cool but also b/c i'm a part of the online book club on their message boards and those girls are rad!

I am a super awesome superhero. True that. I can go anywhere I want by thinking about it and I fight crime, but I don't HURT the bad guy. Just help.

Wellll....you could give me points for complimenting you. "You are looking quite lovely today, did you do something to your hair?" ;-)